KIX HEEL

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/004457.html

interesting comments on Hilton Osaka

Sweet Willie

Maybe things have changed, but my three stays (two as gold, one as diamond) I have always received an executive level room.
Good breakfast spread in the morning.

Bell staff is outstanding.

Room was more than big enough for me, nice work area.

I definite recommend it.

cmhua777

The website makes it out to be a new hotel with a good location, but it is notably more $$ pre night then the Hyatt and the Westin. How does this Hilton stack up in Osaka?

Sweet Willie

The hotel is located across the street from the Osaka station. Not to be confused with the Shin-Osaka station (where the bullet train stops). The cab ride to the Osaka Hilton from Shin-Osaka will cost about 1200-1500 yen ($9-$13 USD).
When exiting Osaka station, take the central exit and walk across the street. If taking the correct exit, one can see "Hilton Plaza" on the side of the building where you want to go. If you have alot of luggage (as we did due to the wife(just can't get her to downsize the amount of clothes/shoes)) you may want to take the airport bus to the hotel, but if this is at rush hour it may take 1.5-2 hours.
Upon entering the hotel w/our bags, the bellman ran (yes ran!) from the other side of the lobby to collect our bags. Upon seeing my Diamond card, the front desk stated that I will be checking in on the executive lounge on the 32 floor.
Was given a very nice room w/Kimonos and a King size bed.
Breakfast in the Exec lounge was mostly western fare and good. Coffee service was the most prompt I've ever had.
Concierge was VERY helpful w/directions and making reservations. Get your destination and return printed in Japanese to help the cab drivers. They really appreciate it and so will you for not getting lost.
In the building attached to the Hilton, called the Hilton Plaza, on the B2F floor, basement second level, there is a VERY good cheap restaurant that specializes in Okonomiyaki food. I've listed a thread on this restaurant in the Japan section of FT dining.
Forgot to add, when we checked out, the bellman asked if we needed a cab. We said no that we were taking the airport bus to Kansai which is a block away from the Hilton. He loaded up our bags and ESCORTED US TO THE BUS PICK UP AREA. AWESOME!!!!!!! TRUE SERVICE.


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thezipper

Good central location... but bad with honoring HHonors rules in my case. Said there were no rooms to upgrade to, when the computer in their biz center said they had rooms to sell. Was not able to use the Exec Lounge, only got breakfast vouchers. IMHO, the building and rooms are showing their age.

FYI, the Westin is a ways from Osaka station, on the other side of the train tracks. Hyatt is out near the Osaka World Trade Center, a few changes on the train from KIX to Namba and then out to Suminoe-Koen.

saimike

its not new, but the location is good! there is only 1 hotel to stay when u're in osaka: ritz-carlton! u cant beat the osaka ritz ...

that said, hilton's buffet bfast on the 2nd flr is great -- huge variety and delicious. i dont know how the exec flr does, but i wanna say skip that and go for the buffet. i was diamond when i checked in but wasn't given any fancy rooms.

there r some restaurants in the basement of the ritz that r really good, but it seems u get more local flavor on the other side of the osaka train station. also, shinsaibashi and namba is where u really wanna be for shopping, food, drinks, etc.

[This message has been edited by saimike (edited 07-24-2003).]

KathyWdrf

Sweet Willie (or anyone), do you have a legible copy of the airport bus schedule from Osaka Stn./Hilton to KIX?

I found one here, but it's not too readable (and I don't think downloading the Japanese character set will really help!):

http://www.kate.co.jp/pc/english/english.html

Also, I couldn't find any fare information for this bus. Do you remember how much the one-way fare is?


Kathy

[This message has been edited by KathyWdrf (edited 08-06-2003).]

KathyWdrf

And another question: Sweet Willie mentioned a cab ride from the Shin-Osaka station to the Hilton costing about $9-$13 US.

Isn't there a rail link (JR and/or local subway) between the Shin-Osaka and Osaka stations???

Or was luggage the deciding factor for taking a cab instead?


Kathy

thezipper

Kathy,

Exploring the schedule link, I found this Timetable to KIX that shows the stops at the Hilton, then on to KIX. The cost for the one-way bus fate is Y1,300.

There is direct rail service from Shin-Osaka station to KIX on the Haruka high-speed train. I've included the link for this train as well. There is a subway link from Shin-Osaka to Osaka eki. I usually have one suitcase and don't find it hard getting around lately. The have much more escalators than they did 10 years ago.

Any other questions, feel free to pvt. e-mail

KathyWdrf

thezipper, thanks, but you just repeated the semi-readable link that I complained about!

As for the train schedule to KIX, I already have that. The bus is easier since it departs from near the Hilton. Not sure that the bus schedule is so good though!

1,300 Yen is about $11 US for the bus. The train costs about $25 US (covered by a JR railpass).

I guess it'll depend on whichever is easier and/or has the better timing for my flight.


Kathy

Sweet Willie

Luggage was the reason for taking a cab.

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thezipper

The bus leaves the Hilton at 6:59 (that column) and arrives at KIX at 8:10 (the end column) Hope this helps. I have the japanese character set loaded, so no problem for me to read it :P I'm guessing the subway cost Osaka eki to Shin-Osaka eki is around Y200.

[This message has been edited by thezipper (edited 08-06-2003).]

KathyWdrf

thezipper, it is obvious which columns to look at.

However, it is the CONTENTS of the columns I am unsure of. Is it really true that there are NO buses to KIX that stop at Osaka Stn./Hilton between 9:59 and 16:19? And no buses AT ALL after 16:19? That's how it looks on my computer. Maybe it looks different to you.

If what I am seeing is correct, it is a VERY limited schedule and I would have to catch the 9:59 bus and arrive nearly four hours ahead of flight time. Or, take the train instead.


Kathy

SHADO

I suggest you use the Herbis Osaka bus from Oosaka station. It is walking distance.

Oosaka-Namba-Kansai by train is 1230en.

SHADO

KathyWdrf

Thanks. I just might catch the bus from the Herbis!

Is the train you refer to a regular train, rather than high-speed shinkansen train? Does it leave from Osaka station as opposed to Shin-Osaka station?


Kathy